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Home » Holiday Science » Christmas Science » Easy Last Minute Christmas Elf Ideas

Easy Last Minute Christmas Elf Ideas

Modified: Nov 21, 2024 · Published: Nov 7, 2022 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · 3 Comments

We’ve all been there, the last-minute elf panic, wondering what simple but exciting mischief the Elf on the Shelf can get up to.

This year, Science Sparks makes elf antics easy with 24 easy science-based elf ideas and a sprinkle of festive fun to delight elves and children alike.

There’s an elf activity card for each day with full instructions and a list of materials. The ideas include tidying up with static electricity, making an elf zip line and supersized candy!

I’ve tried to make each day as simple as possible, using templates for some activities and mostly only very basic materials that hopefully you already have at home.

You can print off the whole elf ideas pack or just a selection of 4 days.

24 days of easy elf ideas. Image shows one of a set of 4 science ideas for the elf.

24 days of ideas for the elf

The days can be mixed up, or choose your favourites.

Elf ideas days 1-4

four different science based ideas for the elf. Use static electricity to tidy up, find out whether an egg is boiled, draw what's inside and elf and build a marshmallow snowman
Elf science ideas 1-4

Tidy up time

Leave out a balloon and tissue paper chopped into small bits. You could cut these into candy cane shapes if you want to be extra fancy.

An elf sat near lots of tissue paper pieces in a mess with a balloon. A fun elf trick

Boiled or not

For this one, boil one egg and leave the other uncooked. The boiled egg will spin more smoothly than the raw one.

What’s inside an elf?

One of my favourite science activities to do with young children is to ask them to draw around themselves and add in organs, skeletons or even muscles. For this activity, draw around your elf on a piece of paper and leave it next to the elf with some pens. The challenge is for children to draw what they think is inside an elf. Will it be human-type organs or bones made from candy canes?

Build a snowman

This activity involves building a snowman from marshmallows, liquid glucose and icing! It’s a fun activity, STEM challenge and snack in one.

Marshmallow snowman for a festive STEM challenge

Elf Ideas Days 5-8

4 days elf activity ideas. Free printable science activity cards
Elf Science Ideas Days 5-8

Optical Illusion

All you need for this festive optical illusion is a straw or pencil, tape and the template from the downloadable pack.

template for a Christmas optical illusion
elf sat next to two straws one has the image of a Christmas tree on top and the other Christmas tree decorations

Reverse the Signs

Use the template to create North Pole signs and leave them out with a glass of water. This is a fun, festive demonstration of refraction.

Christmas reversing signs for a refraction activity
refraction experiment - elf themed. Image shows an elf on the shelf next to a small piece of cardboard with a black arrow on. There is a glass of water in front of the arrow. the arrow is reversed

Expanding Candy

This is a super simple science activity that shows how gummy sweets seem to grow magically if left in the water! Simply pop the sweets in water and watch what happens.

Melting Marshmallows

Set up a science investigation to discover what happens to marshmallows in hot chocolate.

elf themed melting marshmallows STEM challenge

Elf ideas days 9-12

elf activity ideas on a printable sheet
Elf Science Ideas Days 9-12

Save the Presents

For this activity, you’ll need some boxes from the recycle bin, bubble wrap and tape. The idea is to create packaging to protect a potato chip/crisp or another delicate object.

Testing this one is the best part. Throw the packaging around with the crisp inside and see if it stays in one piece. Post the package to a friend to take it to the next level.

Festive Food Chains

Cut the arrows and boxes from the template and leave them out with the elf to be put back together!

Imaginary festive food chains are fun, too.

Secret Elf Messages

Backwards messages can be written and read using a mirror. For an extra challenge, ask children to write the message with their non-writing hand.

Sink or Float

This one is easy! Set up a bowl of water and some festive items to test. Use the table in the pack to record results.

Elf ideas days 13-16

Elf Science Ideas Days 13-16

Super Snow Angels

For this activity, the elf needs to make snow angels with different items. It’s a bit messy, but worth it!

elf snow angel with icing sugar
elf snow angel with sprinkles

Super Strong Candy Canes

This activity aims to test how strong a candy cane is by hanging different items from the end. Keep adding until the candy cane snaps.

Elf Zip Line

Set up an elf zip line by tying a string to two points inside or outside. You might need to construct a pipe cleaner harness to hold the elf in place.

Marshmallow Launcher

Build a simple marshmallow launcher with a cup and a balloon, and leave it with some marshmallows or pom poms for children to experiment with.

marshmallow launcher for a festive STEM challenge

Elf Ideas 17-20

Ideas for science based elf activities days 17-20
Elf Science Ideas Days 17-20

Elf Club House

Use materials from the recycle bin to design and build an elf clubhouse. As an additional test, try different materials to find one that makes a roof waterproof.

Skittle Shapes

This colourful skittles display is super easy to set up and looks great too. Experiment with warm and cold water to see which is faster.

skittle experiment in a candy cane shape

What’s that Shadow?

Shadow puppets are a great way to learn that light only travels in straight lines. Use the template or draw your own!

Candy Towers

Let the elf build the first tower and challenge the children to make a taller one.

Elf ideas days 21-24

Elf activities days 21-24
Elf Science Ideas 21-24

Present Parachute

A basic parachute can be made from a square of paper with a section of string tied from each corner. This is also a fun way for the elf to arrive if you want to use this idea for day 1.

parachute for an elf

Flying Santa Hats

Create a cone Santa hat using red paper. Place the cone on top of an empty milk jug and squeeze hard. The hat will fly up into the air.

This simple flying Santa hat activity is a great way to learn about forces.

empty milk container and paper cones decorated like a snowman and a santa hat for a Christmas science activity

Reach the Cookies

For this activity, you need a pack of biscuits or cookies placed somewhere too high for the elf to reach.

Leave some materials around the elf for the children to make a climbing wall, ladder or step to help the elf reach the cookies!

Fly the Elf Plane

Attach the elf to a wall inside a pair of pants ( completely optional ) and leave some paper underneath for children to make the elf a paper plane so he can get down.

Get the full pack of 24 ELF Ideas!

FULL PACK OF 24 Elf Science Ideas
24 days of elf science ideas. A free printable booklet with challenge cards and templates

Whether you’re forward planning or looking for last-minute elf ideas, hopefully, you’ve found at least one activity to use!

24 days of easy ideas for the elf on the shelf

Last Updated on November 21, 2024 by Emma Vanstone

More Christmas Science

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    Easy Science Activities for New Year
  • The Great Christmas Cookie Experiment
  • Balancing elf stem challenge
    Elf Balancing Toy STEM Challenge
  • skittle experiment in a candy cane shape
    Easy Christmas Candy Experiments

Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jacque

    December 06, 2022 at 8:19 am

    Where do you download the whole pack….I only see 4 days at a time? 🙂

    Reply
    • Emma Vanstone

      December 06, 2022 at 12:06 pm

      Sorry, I have now added a link at the bottom of the post.

      Reply
  2. Hazel

    December 20, 2022 at 11:40 pm

    These ideas are amazing! We’ve been following these throughout December and we’ve all loved it in our house! Thank you

    Reply

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